Efficient and Scalable Algorithm for Surveying Relative Abundance of Biologically Important Compounds in High Resolution LC-MS/MS Data

Description:

Princeton University Invention # 08-2458

           

Princeton researchers in the Computer Science Department and the Lewis Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics have developed an efficient and accurate algorithm that processes large volumes of high resolution mass spectrometry data. The technology enables unprecedented surveys of protein, metabolite, and lipid abundances, and thus, promises to aid in the discovery of new biology and commercially important pharmaceuticals and disease bio-markers.

Cells and tissues contain a mixture of three important classes of compounds: proteins, metabolites, and lipids. The abundance of these compounds reveals the nature of the internal state of these cells and tissues. Unbiased quantitative surveys of these compounds across experimental conditions and controls promises to reveal new biology and enable the discovery of new drugs and biomarkers. High resolution liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is the prevailing experimental technique for identifying and measuring the relative abundance of proteins, metabolites, and lipids in cells and tissues across experimental conditions.  This experimental technique generates large amounts of data. Consequently, we developed an efficient algorithm that enables visualization of this data and enables the accurate measurement relative protein, metabolite, and lipid abundances.  We integrated this algorithm into cross platform (Mac, Linux, and Windows) software. The software was used to demonstrate that the algorithm handles large data sets that span hundreds of experimental conditions and replicates on a conventional computer, vastly exceeding the performance of existing algorithms. 

Publications:

Khan Z, Bloom JS, Garcia BA, Singh M, Kruglyak L, Protein Quantification Across Hundreds of Experimental Conditions, 2009, 106:15544-15548.

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/08/25/0904100106.abstract

http://pubs.acs.org/action/showStoryContent?doi=10.1021%2Fon.2009.09.08.417400

Princeton is currently seeking industrial collaborators to further develop and commercialize this technology. Patent protection is pending.

For more information on Princeton University invention # 08-2458 please contact:

                        Laurie Tzodikov

                        Office of Technology Licensing and Intellectual Property

                        Princeton University

                        tzodikov@princeton.edu 

Patent Information:
For Information, Contact:
Laurie Tzodikov
Licensing Associates
Princeton University
tzodikov@princeton.edu
Inventors:
Zia Khan
Leonid Kruglyak
Mona Singh
Keywords: